Still remembering how I and my family were once battling with “one of the strongest typhoon ever happened on Philippine records" — the Super Typhoon Yolanda (International Name: Haiyan). The day of 8 would always remind me of the shocking nightmare which cannot be deleted in my psyche. A whopping experience taught me numerous learnings.
©️Sunstar
November 8, 2013. The Super Typhoon (ST) Yolanda rammed the entire Visayas including our very own province of Capiz. That day was the very first time that I have experienced such terrible onslaught of "bagyo". And due to not expecting that ST Yolanda would be as dreadful as happened, I did not mind it. Seeming that I am just waiting for the arrival of weak enemy— which on the contrary—a mighty evildoer. It was only my parents who were into worries and hardly prepared for said approaching storm. In fact, I felt guilty of being idiot—because I really did not treat the forenamed catastrophe seriously.
Morning of that day, around 6 a.m., me and my two siblings still able to go on the house of our aunt to collect "gabi-gabi" (a species of plant intended for feeding of pigs). Whilst into gathering, I made horseplay, shouting "Bagyo, bagyo, diin ka na?"as mischievous as that! So then, when we got home, my siblings told to Mama such misconduct; and I was scolded. Upon reprimanding, I went to the house of my grandparents to cogitate. I stayed there for roughly two hours. During that time, the doom atmosphere starting to prevail. Around 10 a.m., I went home and the wind went wild—indicating that "fierce attack" was on its way. But even the mood was already dusky, I still made an idiocy—but this time, being accompanied of my siblings. We still went outside just to collect the falling Indian mango fruits in our yard. Felt never afraid to the savage wind. Trees were already twisted and threw down, yet the threat on our safety was not in our minds.
However, as the climax of destruction came, our foolishness altered into panicky. Our house already shaken; viewed in our window were collapsing coconut trees and stretched bamboo bushes; the leaves and debris were getting along with the ferocious wind; the entirely sombre surrounding was evident. We then transferred to the house of our neighbor, thinking that there, we will be safe as it is concrete-made. And though being afraid to get injured and threatened safety [i.e., falling tree' branches, collapsing electric post and flying galvanized iron (yero) may result injuries and probable fatalities], still we evacuated to the house of neighbor. Upon going outside, panicky is real! We really persisted to transfer! The wind blew me strongly to follow its direction. Thank that I was able to grasp the tiny "rambutan" tree that was not yet damage. Panicking! Panicking! Gazing where are my fam already. The slapping raindrops were so appalling. I instantly exclaimed, "Lord, guide us!"
We transferred safely but even concreted, the house of neighbor also ruined; so we decided to transfer again in our fresh-lamed bamboo-made house; now along with neighbors. The stumbled trees were on our way. Still into panicky! We acted with great confusion. But after all, we thanked to the Almighty that we were able to transmit in our house unharmed; we stayed there until the fury of super typhoon weakened. Afterwards, our neighbors decided to evacuate in barangay hall (the evacuation area), for them to stay there as the night is approaching. However, my parents adamantly not went and told us just to stay in our wrecked house and there we will have our sleep. Even today, I cannot believe that we survived the whole miserable night of discomforts—sucking mosquitoes, wet clothings and beddings, no light source and sensing the mild winds of destruction remain. But did you know what, the decision of my parents to stick in our house for night, came favorable because we secured our belongings and properties. I cannot imagine even now that despite of the terrifying and fresh test, our fellows still saw advantages and exploited the chance— stealing the flown "yero" of others. That is why sarcastically speaking, "nagka-yero bigla yaong mga walang yero dati dahil lang dito kay Yolanda!" am I right? Are you relate? More so, the next days were the recovery stage on which we fixed the aftermaths. Who would ever forget being "purga" of relief goods such as sardines, noodles, etc. But it was a blessings—it sustained the subsequent weeks of continued existence.
After all, I would admit that many flaws truly existed during Yolanda strike (i.e., our stupidity actions, treating the storm unseriously, unplanned battle, panicky, the misdeeds of fellows, to list few). Thus, the huge lessons now, especially that extreme weathers such as super typhoon is inevitable to our country, are as follows: (a) Accept the fact that we are prone to typhoons; average of 22 typhoons visiting our nation annually (b) Typhoon is real enemy, not a simple calamity. We should treat it serious especially if it would be your first time to face such horrible typhoon. (c) Prepare! Prepare! Ready your kits (medicine kits, food packs and personal kits). Secure all your belongings and properties (if necessary). Priority yourself than your material things. Evacuate if being ordered by the authority. (d) Act consciously and justly. Do not get panic in any hard situations and lastly (e) Do not be opportunistic especially during trying times. Help not to theft (just like in narrated scenario).
To sum up, typhoon is a natural calamity testing our mere self—how we act, how we communicate, how we deal problems, how we strengthen our faith, and ultimately how we reflect thereafter. Super Typhoon Yolanda is among those mishaps engraved never-to-be-forgotten experiences and crafted a well lessons on us. Do you remember too?
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